Industrial Waste Management

Most substances such as soaps, food, and human waste are easily removed from sewage at our wastewater treatment and water reclamation plants. Other wastes generated by business and industry present a danger to humans and the environment.

The Industrial Waste Management Division’s (IWMD) primary job is to maintain the health and safety of the public and environment while protecting the City’s water reclamation plants and their byproducts, biosolids, and treated wastewater.

IWMD administers the City’s EPA-approved pretreatment program in accordance with the City’s Industrial Waste Control Ordinance. Specifically, we regulate, monitor, and control the wastewater discharges of over 16,000 industrial users into the City sewers. The Industrial Waste Management Division can be found at 2714 Media Center Drive, Los Angeles CA 90065. If you would like to contact LA Sanitation's Industrial Waste Management Division, please call us at (323) 342-6200 or email us at San.IWMD@lacity.org.

Pretreatment programs reduce the amount of pollutants in water before discharging it into sewers, storm drain system, or waters of the State. Industrial users, food service establishments, dental offices, dry cleaners and mobile washers should use pretreatment programs.

To monitor the flow, nature, and concentration of pollutants discharged by any industrial user (IU), IUs are required to conduct self-monitoring. These results must be submitted to the City with a Self-Monitoring Report.

Industrial facilities and certain commercial facilities that discharge industrial wastewater to the City's sewage collection and treatment system are required to get an industrial wastewater permit. Learn more about the Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit.